NC parents of missing teen sentenced for tax fraud

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) – The adoptive parents of a teenager missing from her home for years have received prison sentences from a federal judge who also scolded them for the girl’s treatment.

U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Schroeder on Friday sentenced Casey Parsons to 10 years in prison for tax fraud. Her husband, Sandy, received an 8-year sentence.

Erica Parsons lived with the family until she disappeared in 2011 at age 13. She wasn’t reported missing until 2013.

Schroeder said that, after sentencing more than 1,000 people, he has never been more troubled by a case.

Last month, the judge delayed the sentencing after a hearing revealed the conditions under which Erica Parsons lived before her disappearance. Prosecutors said the couple routinely abused the girl and continued to collect benefits after she disappeared.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 2:13 PM.